Embraer and aircraft lessor Azorra have signed an agreement covering up to 30 E190 passenger-to-freighter conversions, providing a significant boost to the Brazilian manufacturer's E-Freighter program.
The agreement, announced on Tuesday at the Farnborough International Airshow, includes 20 firm conversion orders and purchase rights for 10 more aircraft.
The deal comes at a delicate time for the program. Launched in 2022 with ambitious expectations, the E-Freighter has delivered only two converted E190Fs, both to U.S.-based lessor Regional One, which placed the aircraft with Malta’s Bridges Air Cargo.
Embraer originally planned to offer freighter conversions for both the E190 and E195, but the company has since focused exclusively on the E190F.
Azorra did not disclose whether the aircraft will come from its own E-Jet portfolio or be acquired on the secondary market for conversion. The companies also did not identify where the work will be carried out. Embraer previously said it expected dedicated third-party conversion specialists to perform the modifications rather than handling the work itself.
"The E-Freighter is a natural extension of that story, combining the proven performance of the E-Jet with a compelling solution for the growing express cargo market," Azorra CEO John Evans said.
The E190F carries up to 13.5 tonnes of cargo and targets a market segment between large turboprop freighters and converted narrowbody aircraft such as the Boeing 737.
